Ariane 5 Suffers Abort After Engine Ignition

KOUROU, French Guiana (ESA PR) — In the last seconds of Ariane Flight VA239 launch countdown as the Vulcain cryogenic main stage engine was being ignited, the checkout process detected an anomaly on the launcher, interrupting the final countdown.

The Ariane 5 launcher and payload Intelsat 37e and BSAT-4a immediately switched to a safe mode. Data analysis is underway to determine the cause of the anomaly. In parallel, the launcher will be transferred to the Final Assembly Building – where it will be returned to a flight-ready condition.

Arianespace will set a new launch date as soon as possible and apologizes to its customers for this delay.

I watched the launch attempt livestreamed upon SpaceFlightNow. What I found interesting was that the periodic updates appearing under the video showed “ABORT” status a full ten seconds before the fuel lines detached from the rocket and that all the launch operators showed surprise that their rocket didn’t light because their board showed all green. Very strange.

OldCodger

That is interesting/odd. Wonder what caused that?

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